What to Look For in a Pushchair Car Seat

A pushchair is a baby chair with wheels specifically designed for babies as young as 6 months old. They typically have seats that recline to lay flat and come with a five-point harness.

Some pushchairs can be used with a car seats to create travel systems. This lets your baby easily transfer from car to pushchair without causing any disturbance.

Safety

There are many safety features you need to be looking for when selecting the right car seat for your pushchair. It is essential that the car seat you choose is in compliance with British standards and regulations, no matter if it's a new model or a second-hand one.

Make sure that your pushchair is in compliance with BS 7409:1996 or BS EN 1888:2003 before you buy it. This will ensure it's safe for babies and children to ride in. This includes ensuring that it has a locking device that is secure and the brakes are working properly.

When you are choosing a car seat, it's worth looking for one that can recline to a lie-flat position. This is particularly crucial for babies, as research has shown that young infants who spend a lot of time in a straight position can have difficulty breathing. The car seat's curly shape restricts their airways, causing them to struggle to breathe.

Alternatively, you can choose a car seat that snaps onto the frame of your pushchair as part of a travel system bundle. This makes the transition between car and compact stroller a lot simpler, as you won't have to wake your child up every time you need to switch between modes of transport.

Some of the best pushchair car seat models offer side impact protection as well. This is designed to decrease the impact force of a collision by providing extra padding and energy-absorbing material to protect your baby's shoulders, head and chest. This kind of protection is especially important in the event of a side crash, which can be more dangerous for babies.

A top tether strap is an additional useful safety feature to look out for to prevent the car seat from moving forward in an accident, and can reduce the chance of head strikes. This is a legal requirement on every coach-built car seat.

Ease of Use

A pushchair car seat is among the most used baby products so it's important that it has good comfort and convenience features. It doesn't matter if it's a comfortable seat padding for baby or an adjustable handlebar for parents, there are plenty of accessories to choose from too!

Some pushchairs have the option of a carrycot, which is perfect for babies. It lets them sleep in a lie-flat position that is recommended for their health and development. When they are older the carrycot can be converted into a pushchair. Most can also be used with an automobile seat base.

Look for a pushchair that can be folded quickly and compactly so that it fits into tight spaces or the trunk of your car. Some models fold with the seat still attached, making them much easier to use. There are numerous brake options available depending on your lifestyle. A foot brake works well for everyday use, whereas an active handbrake can be useful for those who are constantly stopping and starting on traffic-filled streets. There are also jogger style pushchairs with three wheels that help you maintain the momentum while going uphill or downhill.

The majority of pushchairs that are 'from-birth' allow you to select which direction the seat is facing either towards the parent or facing the world. This can be changed by simply pressing the seat onto the chassis. However the Doona is an innovation that elevates this to the next level by allowing both. You can either insert the infant car seats into the Doona and then recline the seat to a lie-flat position for babies or use it as stroller. It's a fantastic feature that works with or without the base in your vehicle. It can also be used on trains and planes!

If you plan to travel frequently or ride-share vehicles A lightweight seat that is easy to put in is essential. It is important to ensure that the base can be easily pushed in and out. Also, consider an all-in-one travel system that includes all your essentials.

Style

Style is a personal preference, and you can find something that is suitable for both parents and infants. Based on your budget and preference you can pick a sleek and elegant appearance, or something that is more striking. Top brands offer a wide variety of options to choose from a modern and vibrant style or traditional and modern.

You'll also need to consider the amount you're willing to spend on your pushchair car seat as it will probably be among your most expensive baby purchases. Many parents choose to purchase a travel system which includes the car seat as well as a carrycot. This offers ultimate convenience and comfort from birth and is perfect for families with busy schedules who have to be out and Lightweight Strollers often.

Many pushchairs have a lie-flat option that allows newborn babies to sleep on their backs. This is a recommendation from experts due to its benefits for spinal development and lung development. Some brands go an extra mile by incorporating a premium hand recliner that allows you to press a button to recline the seat of your pushchair to more comfortable posture.

Some pushchairs include adjustable handlebars, footrests and other features so that you can tailor the model to your child's requirements. Some even come with a reversible seat, so that your child can sit with you for reassurance, bonding, or face the world to explore their surroundings.

Additionally, some brands provide a variety of pushchair accessories including feetmuffs for colder temperatures and sun parasols to shield your child from the sun. A sunshade can prevent your baby from overheating.

The best pushchair car seats come with a 5-point harness which is designed to secure your child's shoulders and hips, the most rigid parts of their body. This is the safest and most secure method of restraining your child in their foldable pushchair. You should only ever use pushchair car seats that have this type of safety harness. There are new one-pull systems, such as the Cybex Pram that allow you to precisely adjust your baby's seatbelt in just a single pull. This guarantees a secure and secure fitting.

Storage

It's a fact that a pushchair car seat can be quite bulky. To ensure you have plenty of space, choose car seats with an ample storage bin as well as a tray for parents and child seat cupholders. This will ensure that you have everything you need while you are out and about.

Look for models that have a canopy built-in to protect your child from the elements. Other helpful features include lockable swivel front wheels to provide you with more maneuverability as well as a convenient tray for parents and a self-standing fold, so it is super-easy to store when not in use.

Doona travel systems bundles offer the best in convenience and Running Pram security. You can easily move your baby from their car seat to their pushchair, without having to disturb them. The Doona ISOFIX Base is attached to the vehicle belt buckle on the car seat and then snaps onto the pushchair frame. This innovative system means you can be ready to start your journey from the moment you are born, saving valuable time on everyday running errands.

Another alternative is the egg3 an award-winning, eye-catching 3 in 1 travel system that enables you to place your baby in the egg car seat from birth and then swap them over to the pushchair seat when they're big enough. With car seat adaptors that are compatible with the majority of major brands, this model is the ideal choice for those who don't have a car.

The egg3 is able to be converted into a tandem by using the egg2/3 adaptors available in case you have twins or are expanding your family. Equipped with the intelligent SensorSafe technology, the egg car seat will alert you via your phone in real-time if there are 4 potentially unsafe conditions - unexpected chest clip not buckled the chest clip, a temperature that is too hot or too cold in the car seat or your baby is seated for too long.

You should consider investing in a rejuvenation kit for your hood or a deep cleaning service to ensure your pushchair is in great condition for your next journey. Start by vacuuming and then wiping down with warm soapy water or a gentle sterilising fluid, making sure to dry the fabric in the sun.